AAIB investigation to Cessna 172M Skyhawk II, N9085H
Aircraft struck the ground short of the runway, L.F Wade International Airport, Bermuda, 30 April 2018.
Summary:
Shortly after takeoff the aircraft exhibited a tendency to pitch nose down despite the application of NOSE UP trim. During the subsequent approach to land, the forces required to maintain the approach path increased to the point where the pilot could no longer control the glidepath and the aircraft struck the ground short of the runway. The investigation found that the drive chain for the elevator trim actuator had been fitted incorrectly, which resulted in the elevator trim tab moving in the opposite sense to the movement of the trim wheel.
The maintenance organisation has introduced procedures to ensure that duplicate inspections of all flight critical systems are carried out following maintenance.
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